"I think defensively we converted some of our turnovers," said Lakes coach Cassandra Rahming. "But good Lord, we left so many out there. I think what we did defensively set the tone for the rest of the game."

Most of Fort Lauderdale's (17-7) miscues came in the half court. Lakes would poach an in-bounds pass to set up an easy basket.

If that didn't work, it would send a double team on whoever had the ball to force an errant pass or a steal.

Or if there was time and space, Lauderdale would try a pass only to have either a fingertip or a whole hand get in the way sending Lakes into transition.

"What we take from this is this can never happen again," said Fort Lauderdale coach LaShonda Gaines. "It is what it is but we can never let it happen again."

Warthen aside, the defense proved to be crippling. So was the play of Lakes junior guard Kayla Thigpen.

Thigpen, who scored points, was a constant threat to get in the lane and convert.

Aside from a lone 3-pointer, nearly every one of Thigpen's baskets came within the paint.

"I just want to try and finish my lay-ups every time," she said.

Thigpen gave a sobering assessment saying she could have been better. Lakes, when it did force a turnover in the Fort Lauderdale end, often had someone play an outlet pass to Thipgen. She, in turn, would get several uncontested looks thanks to her speed.

Many went in, but there were some that didn't.

That's why she described her performance as an "off game" at one point.

"Really, it could have been better if I slowed everything down," she said. "Instead, I couldn't just finish. If I had been able to finish, it would have been a real good game for me and my teammates."